Linda's Blog: The Sweet Simplicity of Tuck Comb Wooden Dolls

Image Courtesy of Theriaults.com.

While I was doing research on the "The History of Faceless Dolls" I read several articles about antique wooden dolls and fell in love with Penny Wooden Dolls so much so that I ended up writing a blog post entitled, "I'm In Love With Penny Wooden or Peg Wooden Dolls."

In researching the penny wooden dolls I learned about a special type of peg wooden doll called "tuck comb dolls." The dolls are so named for their carved and painted hair combs.

According to Wikipedia.org, " Tuck comb dolls are a special style of peg wooden doll, named for their carved hair comb. The head and body is turned as one piece. The hair is usually painted with curled bangs and with a painted comb. Early tuck comb dolls had elongated, graceful proportions, nicely carved details, painted slippers, and sometimes with wood pendant earrings. Some dressed as merchants were called pedlar dolls."

Also, according to The Ultimate Doll Book by Caroline Goodfellow: The high comb, often painted yellow was a fashionable hair ornament and special feature of early 19th century wooden dolls.

I just love these dolls and find them irresistible. I love their adorable painted tuck combs and their clothing. So, of course, I wanted to see more pictures and find out more about these types of peg wooden dolls. Here's what I found and what drew me to each of the dolls:

The Grodnertal, circa 1840 doll pictured at the beginning of this section is a "Very Fine Grodnertal Wooden Doll With Tuck Comb, Fine Painting and Original Costume" was for sale on the Theriaults.com website. I find her utterly charming and undeniably sweet.

Her description said, "17" (43 cm.) All-wooden doll with one-piece carved head and torso, elongated slender throat, shapely torso, dowel-jointed wooden arms and legs, painted-over-gesso complexion, painted black hair with shaded ringlet curls framing the face and sculpted yellow tuck comb, earlobes pierced into head, painted blue eyes, painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with center accent line, blushed cheeks and chin, spoon-shaped hands, orange painted flat shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Grodnertal, circa 1840. Value Points: wonderful size with beautiful original painting, artistically rendered curls around the petite facial details, original gown, petticoat, and pantalets."

The tuck comb Doll In Fashionable Dress on the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum website here is just beautiful and is circa 1830, German/English. I just love her delicate features and beautiful dress.

Image Courtesy of Carmel Doll Shop

The elegant Grodnertal Wooden Doll, shown in the picture above, is from the Carmel Doll Shop. I think she's just beautiful. How about you?

According to their description: A sweet smile will help open doors...Annabel, this exceptionally grand fourteen and three-quarter inch Grodnertal Wooden, must fully be aware of that fact. Appearing as a young lady of means with stylish wisps framing her face, bead earrings and an exquisite printed cotton dress – Annabel wears a subtle smile for all with which she has been blessed. Further details include a paint finish showing flat crazing, but in very good stable condition, (possible, yet slight in-painting to crazing on upper forehead) a distinctive, mustard colored, carved wood comb, plus carved accents to emulate a hairstyle, unusual pale gray painted eyes, a desirable fully articulated wooden body and that magnificent late empire waist dress with leg o' mutton sleeves! Oh yes, green-painted slippers compliment her willowy figure...too wonderful. An elegant doll in a desirable larger size.

For sure Annabel knows she's an exceptional doll.